Spring actuating device for drum-controllers.



PATENTED JAN. 8, 1907.

A. D. DU BOIS. SPRING AGTUATING DEVICE FOR DRUM CONTROLLERS.

APPLICATION FILED APILQ. 1906.

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[mm/07: J/amrzaisrjja -33 flP- -U UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

ALEXANDER n. on 1301s. or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR To WESTERN.

ELECTRIC COMPANY, or CHICAGO, ILL NOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLlNOIS.

' SPRING-ACTUATJNG osvlcs FORDRUM- CONTFlO LliE RS.

ing Devices for Drum-Controllers, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description. I 1

My invention relates to controllers for electric motors, and has for its object to pro:

vide improved means for imparting to the controller-drum rapid movements with re-' spect to its contact-fingers in order to e Iminate the objectionable features present .in. methods of control where contacts are made and broken. slowly.

My invention contemplates the provision of a lever for operating the controlleredrum connected by a flexible member, such'as a tension-spring, with a second lever, which is -a apted to be moved to cause said spring to operate said first-mentioned lever and rotate the drum by jerks in order, for example, to cut in or out. the resistance of the motorcircuit. I f

I will describe my invention particularly by reference to the accompanyingdrawings,

which illustrate the preferred embodiment there'of, reserving for the appended claims a statementof the parts, improvements, and

combinations which I me. I a

In the drawings, Figure 1 ,is a vertical sectional view of a spring actuating device for controllers embodying my invention. Fig.2 is a cross-sectional view on line Fig. 3 is a similar view with the arts in an alternative position. \Figs. 4 an 5 are detail views in elevation of the shaft and lugs consider novel with The same letters of reference are. used to designate the same parts wherever shown.

The controller-drum a (a portion whereof is shown) is provided with the usual contacts adapted in the rotation of the drum to. en:

gage fixed contact fingers or brushes to cut in or out the resistance of the motor-circuit.- Said drum is provided with a shaft b, carry-' ing the usual retarding device for the drum, comprising a star-wheel c, with its sprin 4 controlled brake or pawl cfl: In theembodlment of my inventions'hown a pair of levels Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed April 9, 1906. Serial No. 310.768.-

lever d, expanding the sprin 2 2 of Fig. 1..

sired rapid movement or'step; I

' PatentedJazi. a, 1m

- d d are'provided forrotatin theshaftinops posite directions to cause t e'drum to cut resistance in or out, said levers being 10 mounted on the connected by a flexiblemember, such as a helical tension-spring e. A lug f is carried by the shaft 1), and means are provided for roseg vl shaft with their free-en s moving either one of said levers d 0 (depend ing upon the direction in which it is desired to rotate the drum) to cause said spring to expand and move, the other lever to rotate the drum by rapid steps or sudden jerks against the retarding efl'ect of-the star-wheel c and its brake c. A sprocket g is loosely mounted on the shaft]; and carries a-pin h,

which normally lies between the levers'd d5,

said pin being adapted to engage either lever and cause thespring e to move the other lever into engagement with the lug f. Means may be provided for operatIng saldsprooket from a distant point, if desired.

; If the s rocket be rotated in. the direc tio ii indicated y the arrow, -the pin h engages the shaft or drum will thus be rotated In a clockand causing wisedirection' by sudden jerks, so-t-hat a" quick make and break of the drum-contacts is obtained. I

The drum through its star-wheel may offer such a resistance that the spring after moving through a predetermined working range will fail to -start the same, and I may secure a pair of lugs i i to" the shaft to be engaged by the levers d (1', respectively, whenevereither of such levers is initially operated through a certain predetermined distance without starting th /drum. When such lever engages its ing, the shaft will be started and the spring will be able to give it the de- 1 claim 1".' In a motor-controller, the combination with a contact-drum, of a pair of levers, a

means for o crating either one of said levers to cause suc other lever to effect the move ment-of said drum in ra id steps.

with a contact-drum, ofa shaft therefor, a

flexible connection between said levers, and

.' '2. In a motor-control er, the combination moving said second lever-to operate the said first-mentioned lever.

3. In a motor-controller, the combination with a contact-drum, of a shaft therefor, a pair of loversloosely mounted on said shaft, afiexible connection between said levers, a lug secured to said shaft ,and adapted to be engaged by one of said levers to turn the shaft, and means for operating said other lever to cause the engagement of said firstmentioned lever With the lug to operate the drum. n o 4. In a motor-controller, the combination With a contact-drum, of a lever for operating said drum, a second lever, a tension-spring connecting said levers, a sprocket, and a pin carried thereby adapted to engage said sec- ,ond lever to'cause said spring to operate said first-mentioned lever.

5.111 a motor-controller, the'combination with-a contact-drum, of a shaft therefor, a

star-wheel carried by said shaft, a spring; controlled brake therefor, a lug secured to said shaft,' a lever loosely mounted on said shaft and adapted when 0 erated to engage said lugto rotate the shat, a second. lever loosely mounted upon the shaft, a t nsionspring connecting said levers, a sprocket, and a pin carried thereby adapted to engage said second lever to operate the first-mew,

6. In a motor-controller, the combination with a contact-drum, of a shaft therefor, a

retarding device for said drum, a pair of levers loosely mounted'on said shaft, a flexible connection between said levers, a lug secured to the shaft, and means for operating either one of said lovers to cause said other lever to engage said lug and move said drum in rapid steps.

7. In a motor-controller, the combination with a contact-drum, iota shafttherefor, a'

- initially operating either one of said levers to cause said other lever to engage said lug and move said drum through rapid steps, :a lug for each lever secured to the shaft and adapted to be engaged by.said lever, when initially operated, to start the drum when said spring moving through a predetermined Working range has failed to overcome the resistance .ofiered by the drum.

3 In witness whereof 1 hereunto subscribe my name this 4th day of April, A. D. 1906.

ALEXANDER D. DU BOIS.

Witnesses".

Roy '1. ALLowAr, BERT STARR YORK. 

